Infant Care

Our care team provides education and support as you learn about your new little one, including:

Early infant behavior

Newborn care – cord care, bathing

Mother care – psychological, emotional, physical

Safe sleep

Babies sleep on their backs. Here, the “back to sleep” message is enforced.

Parents are not encouraged to have infants sleep in bed with them.

Sleep sacks are suggested.

Blankets/pillows, stuffed animals and other objects should not be used in bed with an infant.

Infant nutrition and feeding guidelines

Infant safety

Another plus: You can make our hospital like home for your new baby’s care needs. Newborns can transition to our pediatric and adult care programs. No other hospital in the region provides care throughout every stage of life.

Bonding with your new baby
Our care is designed to give moms and new babies as much time together as possible.

Moms will have lots of time to hold their new little ones, whenever possible. We encourage skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth for healthy moms and babies.

Moms are encouraged to room-in with their babies.

You will be cared for by the same nurse who cares for your little one.

A transition nurse will attend your delivery and work with your delivery nurse to coordinate your care during the first two hours after delivery. The transition nurse cares for your baby at the bedside, assists you with breastfeeding and completes your baby’s initial health assessment and bath.

If your baby does not have special care needs, you will be transferred together to a room on the mother/baby patient care area, where a special couplet care nurse will care for you and your baby.

Safe discharge
Your baby’s first trip will likely be in your vehicle, so you want to make sure it’s a safe ride. We want to help you make sure your child’s car seat is safe and properly installed. Parents can have car seats inspected by appointment. The hospital also offers an instruction video on car seat safety and guidelines.

Period of PURPLE crying
The University of Kansas Hospital is one of the first in the Kansas City metro to implement this program that helps parents prepare for the stress of a crying baby. Before they leave the hospital, parents watch a video to learn about the crying cycles of infants. We want to stress most of all that it’s okay to step away and take a break.

Safe Haven
This program is designed to protect newborn children who are not wanted or cared for by their parents. Instead of abandoning an unwanted baby, a parent can hand an uninjured baby to someone who is on duty at an officially designated Safe Haven location, without fear of prosecution for abandonment.

NICU – When your baby needs more help
Experienced physicians and staff in the nearby Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provide around-the-clock care for newborns who need specialized treatment and monitoring. This includes babies born prematurely and those with certain illnesses. Nurses also help parents bond with their babies and provide education on how to care for these infants at home.

Follow-up Call
Approximately two weeks after delivery, you will receive a follow-up call from your nurse. She will speak with you regarding any concerns you may have and, if interested, contraception options. An assessment will also be taken using a postpartum screening tool and your six week postpartum visit will also be scheduled.